​The Textile Art Department (TAD) is Ruth Scheuing, Mary Lou Trinkwon and Petyna Bougie. These women have been up to some awesome things since their unceremonious exit from the Textile Art Program when Capilano University cancelled art programs in 2013.  Incredibly, Ruth was able to buy the program's jacquard loom in an auction after the program shut down. The loom was originally one of the program's AVL Dobby looms and I remember quite a lot of research and elbow grease going into modifying it into the jacquard they use today. Since acquiring that loom in 2014 faculty members Ruth Scheuing and Mary Lou Trinkwon (re)formed the Textile Art Department into a collaborative including the program's technician, Petyna Bougie. They describe their project as existing to "facilitate a diverse range of textile practices, with a focus on education and research".  On the education side they hold jacquard weaving workshops throughout the year as well as offer the jacquard loom on a rental basis. Simply learn how to use it and it's yours to rent (that could be you!).

TAD recently moved the loom from a semi-private space into a public spot at Maker Labs on East Cordova. Come check it out at their upcoming open house on Saturday August 20th from 2pm-5pm. I'm living out of the city but I'm trying to finagle getting there for what is sure to be a fun time.

Textile Art Department Open House
Saturday August 20th from 2pm-5pm
at Maker Labs, 780 East Cordova Street

TextileArtDepartment.com
makerlabs.com

​Janna Maria Vallee

PS check out our list of spaces to rent for textile art making

I taught five days of natural dyeing and indigo at the Metschosin International Summer School of the Arts in Victoria in July and what an incredible time it was.  My classroom was in a boathouse that is usually a biology lab, so we were well equip with dye kitchen supplies and an incredible view, plus a dock to work from, too. The above video is just a sampler of what students made. I had to include a shot of an eagle that we had just watched swim to shore using its wings, because it was carrying a massive fish in its talons that it had just stolen from a seal! MISSA magic is a real thing.

www.missa.ca
​
Janna